If you made weight loss a goal in the new year, you may be spending more time at the gym and eating your fair share of salads throughout the week. However, it’s important to remember that in addition to getting enough exercise and eating healthy foods, cutting certain foods out of your diet is also a crucial step to take as you navigate your weight loss journey. In fact, there are a few foods experts say you should avoid as much as possible for your overall health, including one type of refined carb everyone who wants to lose weight should be kicking to the curb this year.
To learn more about the worst types of foods that may be stalling your weight loss, we spoke to health experts Trista Best, dietitian for Balance One Supplements, and Catherine Gervacio, registered dietitian at Living.Fit. They told us that you should limit your intake of baked goods if you’re trying to shed some pounds in 2023. Find all of their expert insight below!
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Processed baked goods
Sweet, baked goods like store-bought cupcakes, muffins, danishes, and more are undeniably delicious. But of course, all that sweetness comes with a cost, and your metabolism could suffer from the excess of sugar in these treats in addition to all the refined carbs they contain.
The main issue with these deviously tasty foods is that they are typically packed with processed ingredients. “Baked goods like cakes, cookies, and pastries are often made with refined flour and sugar,” Best warns. “They are high in calories, low in fiber, and can contribute to weight gain and metabolic issues when consumed in excess.” Yikes!
Gervacio explains that foods like these are “empty calorie foods,” which means they pack in a ton of calories without providing enough fiber or nutrients, so it takes little energy (a.k.a. burns less calories) for your body to process them, which could take a toll on your metabolism over time. “Excess calories will be stored as fat in the body. Carrying more fat in the body slows the metabolic rate,” Gervacio says.
It’s also important to take note of the role these processed foods can play in your gut health, which can majorly impact your weight loss progress. “Since these are high in bad fat, it disturbs the balance of the microbiome in the gut and may disrupt the digestive enzymes to properly digest food,” she tells us. “As a result, the absorption of nutrients will be affected and can slow down the metabolism.”
All in all, eating too much sugar, refined carbs, and calories is never a good idea, and sweet, store-bought pastries like these combine the worst of both worlds. If you want to lose weight at a health rate, it’s best to keep your consumption of these treats to a minimum. Remember that moderation is key, and whenever possible, choose nutritious, whole foods that can provide you with all the energy your body needs to function at the best of its ability. You’ll be on your way to a healthier body in no time!
